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Quiz about Rebus Knots Crosses by Ian Rankin

"Rebus": "Knots & Crosses" by Ian Rankin Quiz

British crime fiction has produced a long line of detective heroes and the tradition was well maintained in Ian Rankin's 20-book "Rebus" series, which was based in Edinburgh. These questions are about the first book.

A multiple-choice quiz by darksplash. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
darksplash

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
279,989

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
316

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. 'Knots & Crosses' introduced a new detective hero in the shape of John Rebus. What profession had Rebus followed before joining the police? Hint

He was in the Army

He was a nurse in a mental institution

He was in the Royal Navy

He was a door-to-door salesman of suspension bridges.

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Question 2 of 10

2. In the first Rebus novel 'Knots & Crosses', at which Edinburgh police station was Detective Sergeant John Rebus based? Hint

Great Northern Road

Great London Road

Glasgow Road

St Leonard's

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Question 3 of 10

3. Detective Sergeant John Rebus had a brother called Michael. In the novel 'Knots & Crosses' we learnt that Michael was in the entertainment business. What was his speciality? Hint

FunTrivia.com editor

Ventriloquist

Hypnotist

Juggler

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Question 4 of 10

4. The case investigated by Detective Sergeant John Rebus in 'Knots & Crosses' related to the murders of a number of young girls. Where in Edinburgh was the first body found? Hint

In an alleyway off the Royal Mile

Near the top of Arthur's Seat

Near Haymarket railway station

In Princes' Street Gardens

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Question 5 of 10

5. In 'Knots & Crosses', the first Rebus novel, we learnt that D/Sgt John Rebus was separated from his wife and their daughter. What were their names? Hint

Ruth and Sharon

Rhonda and Sandra

Rhona and Samantha

Rosemary and Susan

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Question 6 of 10

6. The love interest for Detective Sergeant John Rebus in 'Knots & Crosses' was provided by Detective Inspector Gill Templer, What specialist role did she fulfill in the police department? Hint

Scenes of Crime Officer

Crime Prevention Officer

Family Liaison Officer

Press Liasion Officer

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Question 7 of 10

7. True or false: in 'Knots & Crosses', the first Rebus novel, the murderer sent written messages to D/Insp Gill Templer.

True

False

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Question 8 of 10

8. What was the name of the journalist who tried to pump Detective Sergeant John Rebus for information in 'Knots & Crosses'? Hint

Jim Stevens

Jeremy Paxman

John Stevens

Joe Stevens

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Question 9 of 10

9. In 'Knots & Crosses', by Ian Rankin, the first adult murdered by the serial killer had a link to the estranged wife of Detective Sergeant John Rebus. What was it? Hint

He was her lover

He was her cousin

He was her brother

He was her personal trainer

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Question 10 of 10

10. In 'Knots & Crosses', where in Edinburgh did the final confrontation between D/Sgt John Rebus and the murderer take place? Hint

The lending library

Arthur's Seat

The castle

The zoo

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. 'Knots & Crosses' introduced a new detective hero in the shape of John Rebus. What profession had Rebus followed before joining the police?

Answer: He was in the Army

John Rebus joined the Army as a way of avoiding the other main outlet for Fife-born youngsters, the coalmines. His experiences, particularly during training for the SAS (Special Air Service), coloured many of his subsequent views.

2. In the first Rebus novel 'Knots & Crosses', at which Edinburgh police station was Detective Sergeant John Rebus based?

Answer: Great London Road

Great London Road was a fictional station.

3. Detective Sergeant John Rebus had a brother called Michael. In the novel 'Knots & Crosses' we learnt that Michael was in the entertainment business. What was his speciality?

Answer: Hypnotist

Michael Rebus followed in his father's footsteps and took his act to venues throughout Scotland and northern England. John Rebus considered it "outrageous" that his brother could earn �600 from a single show.

4. The case investigated by Detective Sergeant John Rebus in 'Knots & Crosses' related to the murders of a number of young girls. Where in Edinburgh was the first body found?

Answer: Near Haymarket railway station

Rebus was assigned to the murder team after the discovery of the first two bodies in different parts of Edinburgh on the same day. Both had died in similar ways.

5. In 'Knots & Crosses', the first Rebus novel, we learnt that D/Sgt John Rebus was separated from his wife and their daughter. What were their names?

Answer: Rhona and Samantha

Rhona was a schoolteacher when Rebus met her on holiday in a Fife fishing village. After they separated, Rebus continued to live in their flat, amid the gaps in the bookcases and wall units. She also took their bed, leaving Rebus to sleep on the mattress.

6. The love interest for Detective Sergeant John Rebus in 'Knots & Crosses' was provided by Detective Inspector Gill Templer, What specialist role did she fulfill in the police department?

Answer: Press Liasion Officer

Rebus met Gill Templer at a party. She was press liaison officer for the murder case he was working on. All the answers are genuine police positions, though the job title may vary from force to force. For example, Scenes of Crime Officers (note the plural Scenes is correct - a lot of people get that wrong) are known as Crime Scene Investigators in some UK police services while others still continue with the familiar 'SOCO' title.

7. True or false: in 'Knots & Crosses', the first Rebus novel, the murderer sent written messages to D/Insp Gill Templer.

Answer: False

The written messages were sent to Rebus. Templer did, though, answer a telephone call from the killer.

8. What was the name of the journalist who tried to pump Detective Sergeant John Rebus for information in 'Knots & Crosses'?

Answer: Jim Stevens

The journalist also took to following Rebus in an attempt to gain more information.

9. In 'Knots & Crosses', by Ian Rankin, the first adult murdered by the serial killer had a link to the estranged wife of Detective Sergeant John Rebus. What was it?

Answer: He was her lover

Rhona Rebus's lover was also the son of a senior police officer.

10. In 'Knots & Crosses', where in Edinburgh did the final confrontation between D/Sgt John Rebus and the murderer take place?

Answer: The lending library

The killer used his position to get information on his victims - who were carefully chosen as part of a calculated plan aimed at causing personal hurt to John Rebus.

Source: Author darksplash

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